St Thomas a'Becket Chapel
St Thomas a'Becket Chapel
4
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
48 within 3 miles
Attractions
34 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.0
6 reviews
Excellent
2
Very good
1
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0
macedonboy
Glasgow, UK165,953 contributions
Sep 2021
In the grounds of St Petroc's Church are these ruins of a medieval chapel of St Thomas Becket. The chapel survives as a rectangular, roofless building of granite with freestone dressings. Some of the more significant features include the segmental vault and arches at the entrance beneath the porch and doorway. Inside the chapel there's a pretty window with unusual tracery. Sadly, there’s no connection to Thomas Becket other than the dedication.
Written September 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Graham B
Devizes, UK41,482 contributions
Oct 2013 • Solo
As I was visiting the adjacent church, it made sense to see the chapel or what was left of it. Chantry chapels were used to offer prayers and to celebrate masses for the souls of the dead, in order to ensure their transit through Purgatory to Heaven.
In 1377, Bishop Brantingham's register records that a licence was granted by him to a Richard Juyl to permit him "to perform divine offices celebrated in his presence by a duly qualified priest in the Chapel of St Thomas the Martyr". St Thomas' was just one of several chantry chapels within the Bodmin area at this time.
During the reign of Edward VI, the notion of Purgatory was denounced, chantries were dissolved and their endowments seized by the Crown. Following the Reformation, the chapel was converted to a Grammar school and remained so until the early 19th century. The undercroft remained as a charnel house for the parish church next door.
By the mid 1850s, the chapel had fallen into disrepair and by 1900, the roof had collapsed, so a carefully planned programme of repairs was undertaken during the early 20th century.
The chapel today retains a fine 24th century decorated east window and a finely moulded piscine for washing the Communion vessels is found in the south wall alongside three old seats for the clergy. The chapel is built over an old crypt, accessed via a doorway beneath the chapel porch. The site is rather dangerous today, after all, the repairs were effected a hundred years ago and I would advise any visitors not to go walking around above the old crypt roof.
In 1377, Bishop Brantingham's register records that a licence was granted by him to a Richard Juyl to permit him "to perform divine offices celebrated in his presence by a duly qualified priest in the Chapel of St Thomas the Martyr". St Thomas' was just one of several chantry chapels within the Bodmin area at this time.
During the reign of Edward VI, the notion of Purgatory was denounced, chantries were dissolved and their endowments seized by the Crown. Following the Reformation, the chapel was converted to a Grammar school and remained so until the early 19th century. The undercroft remained as a charnel house for the parish church next door.
By the mid 1850s, the chapel had fallen into disrepair and by 1900, the roof had collapsed, so a carefully planned programme of repairs was undertaken during the early 20th century.
The chapel today retains a fine 24th century decorated east window and a finely moulded piscine for washing the Communion vessels is found in the south wall alongside three old seats for the clergy. The chapel is built over an old crypt, accessed via a doorway beneath the chapel porch. The site is rather dangerous today, after all, the repairs were effected a hundred years ago and I would advise any visitors not to go walking around above the old crypt roof.
Written November 8, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Marc T
18 contributions
Jun 2019 • Family
Bodmin's only Grade 1 listed building, appears to be quietly ignored, but a visit is well worth while and will only take 15 to 20 mins. Why not take in St Petrocs Church as wll?
Written June 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gemma J
12 contributions
Sep 2018 • Family
Obviously this place is in a state of ruin, so not great in the rain! But a lovely little location with an informative plaque detailing the history of the little chapel. Steps can be slippery if wet, and obviously not accessible to some so take care. If you're here, and St Petroc's just next door is open, it's also well worth a visit!
Written September 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sailor Sue
Sandwich, UK206 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
After a great visit to St Petroc's Church (which was the largest Church in Cornwall until Truro Cathedral was built in 1880-1910) we went to see the ruins of Thomas Beckets Chapel. It can be found outside at the East end of the church. My photos tell the tale of some vandalism but the walls and windows can still be seen. I tend to agree with the other contributors that it needs some TLC,since it is still an historic monument.
Written August 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Michael C
Derby, UK1,911 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
We visited this chapel whilst looking at the main church. The floor of the chapel is littered with debris, including a broken font. The chapel is clearly a very historic building and should be better cared for than it is at present. It retains some interesting features and we would have liked to see inside its crypt, but this was locked.
Written July 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
No questions have been asked about this experience
St Thomas a'Becket Chapel (Bodmin) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about St Thomas a'Becket Chapel
- Hotels near St Thomas a'Becket Chapel:
- (0.52 mi) Bedknobs Bed and Breakfast
- (0.48 mi) Castle Canyke Farm
- (0.33 mi) Rivermead Holidays
- (0.48 mi) Premier Inn Bodmin
- (0.51 mi) Roscrea Bed and Breakfast
- Restaurants near St Thomas a'Becket Chapel:
- (0.12 mi) Morrisons Bodmin Cafe
- (0.54 mi) Flory Restaurant
- (0.60 mi) Hole in the Wall
- (0.55 mi) The Weavers Inn
- (0.56 mi) The Pad